Every year the IKE club has a kite flying retreat at the Indiana Dunes.Winds are generally quite good at the beach.The idea is to spend a weekend flying kites. Get out your SLKs, dual lines, quads, and get some Rev team flying in too.

Most folks arrive on the beach Saturday morning and fly all day. Then we check into the hotel and walk over to a fine Chinese restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we talk kites or play games in the hotel lobby. Sunday, it's back to the beach!

To get the following rates you must call (219) 926-2200 or toll free 800-552- 4232.Tell them you are calling for the group rate for "IKE Retreat"

The date for the room is:Saturday Sept 19, 2015and the rates are the same as last year:Std. 2 Doubles Non Smk : $89.99Lakeview King Non Smk : $99.99Lakeview 2 Queens Non Smk : $109.99￼You have to book by August 19The rate is refundable with a 48 hour notice, so there is no reason not to call right now!

Yeah, I know, thanks for the offer. But Natalie is just not as into kiting as Rose . . . . so we'll see. I think the social life of a teenage girl will probably take priority over whatever Dad wants to do . . .

I'll be there. I've been promoting the event to others, as well. Catherine Piotrowski of Wisconsin Kiters seems pretty interested.

For anyone reading this who hasn't attended before, it's my favorite kite event of the season. Very laid back, just good times flying and hanging out with some of the best people you'll ever meet. This is where I learned to fly a Rev months before I even owned one! A year later, they convinced me to get in line for some group flying. What a great way to hone your skills! No matter how good you are at visualizing, you don't really know how well you're controlling your path and speed until you're following someone else's kite!

Anybody camping Saturday night? Weather looks favorable for the evening (a bit iffy during the day). The State Park campground is sold out but I might try the NPS one (and camp with my son and one of his friends).

Jay just posted something to the IKE Facebook page. There's a stargazing group that will be at the dunes on Saturday night. If the skies are clear, I'm up to go back to the beach to check it out. I love astronomy . . . I might have to bring a telescope (and a few less kites).

What a great weekend with great friends, great weather and great flying! For anyone here who has not seen my Facebook posts, all my still photos from the retreat are in a public album here. I don't think you need a Facebook account to view the pics but I could be wrong about that. I'm certain that Facebook users who are not my Facebook "friends" can view them.